Promoting Urban Corridors in Saudi City Center to Enhance Walkability Using Multi-Criteria Decision-Analysis Methods

Saudi Arabian cities have rapidly expanded their urban areas, especially their city centers, over the last four decades. This growth has led to increased vehicular usage. As a result, the daily walking experience for residents has been adversely affected. Walkability has several positive effects on people’s health and the urban environment. It serves as a means of transportation and helps create a sense of place. This enhances the legibility of urban structures and deepens emotional bonds with the city. This study uses the medium-sized Saudi Arabian city of Onaizah as a case study. It explores the feasibility of creating urban walking corridors to encourage more walking. According to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, sustainable urban development and improved quality of life are key priorities. The study addresses walkability as a way to enhance the urban landscape of the city center. Geographic Information Systems (GISs) were used to analyze data and generate urban corridors in the city center. The results indicate that walking in Onaizah can be improved through three urban corridors. These corridors measure 1335 m, 1624 m, and 1937 m, respectively. They represent urban, commercial, and heritage corridors. This provides planners and decision makers an opportunity to prioritize pedestrian connectivity and improve the physical environment. Such efforts contribute to sustainable urban development. Various criteria-analysis methods were employed to assess the factors that led to the conclusion of these urban corridors. This includes evaluations of land use, transportation, and environmental considerations. The study aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by promoting walking and enhancing overall walkability. It also aims to create a sustainable and livable urban environment for the community in Onaizah.